Fire Cupping & Craniosacral Therapy
Cupping or Fire Cupping is an ancient therapy used in China for thousands of years. Acupuncturists have been practicing cupping treatment for centuries. This form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used on Olympic athletes and professional athletes, as well as regular folks in need of musculoskeletal relief.
Special glass cups are used and a flame is lit inside the cup before quickly placing the cup on the patient’s body. This lack of oxygen is what creates the suction necessary for therapeutic benefit. Once the cup is in place, oil can be applied to the skin and the cups can be moved around an area of the body, or, they can be left stationary to target a specific acupoint or muscle. During a cupping procedure the patient should experience a warm, pulling, stretching sensation, but not pain.
After the cups are in place, your practitioner will incorporate Craniosacral Therapy into the mix for optimal relaxation and recovery. This combo will help your fascia and brain tissue to release toxins, adhesions, and any emotional imprints stuck in the body.
Benefits for Cupping Include:
- General pain relief
- Improved range of motion
- Reduced inflammation
- Treats sports injuries
- Brings body to homeostasis
- Allows body to function and heal on its own
- Increased physical stamina
- Supports nerve pain from accidents or injuries
- Increases blood flow and ciculation
- Detoxifies the body and tissues
Prepare for temporary marks
Post-treatment care
Your after-cupping care is superimportant to ensure you stay healthy and reap the benefits. If possible, cover the area for a day or two to prevent it from being exposed to the elements. Drink lots of water and avoid heavy stimulants (alcohol) within 24 hours of receiving this treatment.
At Balanced Manual Therapy, we integrate Brain Balance therapy into this session for optimal relaxation and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most experts agree that cupping is safe. As long as those treated don’t mind the temporary discolorations (which fade over a number of days or weeks), side effects tend to be limited to the pinch experienced during skin suction.
Cupping is effective for releasing muscle and fascia tension, reducing stress, increasing athletic performance, and detoxifying the body.
This depends on how much muscle pain you are experiencing in your body. Sessions should be spaced apart by 1-2 weeks apart to give the body time to recuperate from the previous session, as well as the temporary discoloration that happens from the fire cups.
Yes, at Balanced Manual Therapy, I integrate Brain Balance Therapy with Fire Cupping. While the cups are doing their job, I release tension in the cranial membranes, sutures, brain tissue, and corresponding structures of the brain. This combination provides the ultimate relaxation experience.
It depends on your body’s stress level, history of injuries, and if you engage in any repetitive activities on a regular basis. That being said, the effects can last for weeks.
Contraindications for cupping therapy include any acute or non-acute medical condition like cancer, malignant tumors, receiving cancer therapy, infection, fever, aneurysms, acute hematomas, deep vein thrombosis, low blood pressure, varicosities, psoriasis, rash, sunburn, shingles, pregnancy, and system conditions like diabetes 1, liver and kidney dysfunction, severe edema, and clients with extreme fatigue.
Hydrate and avoid placing any oils on your body prior to the treatment.